Merton Bank Primary School Nursery Review

Stories, singing and natural play materials give Merton Bank’s nursery its character. Within the primary school on Roper Street in St Helens, the provision takes children from the term following their third birthday. Its early years provision holds Curiosity Approach accreditation, with resources that children can explore and use in different ways rather than for a single prescribed task.

Language is a clear focus: conversation, rhymes and storytelling run through the early years curriculum. For parents, the appeal is a start built around talking, exploring and developing independence.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum combines planned experiences with play and adult interaction. Stories and songs sit alongside learning about seasonal changes and experiences of the wider world. Daily story time gives children a regular opportunity to listen and encounter new vocabulary; adults also encourage them to explain ideas and ask questions.

Curiosity Approach practice shapes the learning environment through natural materials and resources with multiple possible uses. Children have opportunities to pursue their ideas, experiment and solve problems. This gives exploration a place alongside the experiences adults plan.

Early reading includes elements of Read Write Inc in nursery. That distinction matters: the nursery incorporates aspects of the programme, rather than promising the full teaching model described elsewhere for older children. In early years mathematics, stories introduce daily maths meetings, with NCETM resources and White Rose Maths supporting teaching before children explore concepts through play.

The May 2024 inspection found that early years language and number understanding developed well, illustrated by children discussing flower drawings and counting their petals and stems. Pencil grip and writing posture were developing, but teaching children to shape letters and numerals correctly needed greater precision. That is a specific consideration for families: confidence in talking and counting sat alongside a weakness in the foundations of handwriting.

A nursery class teacher and a level 3 learning assistant are listed within the team. Before starting, families can use the school’s School Readiness guide, which is intended for children joining nursery as well as Reception.

For additional needs, the school uses an Assess, Plan, Do, Review cycle. Parents’ views contribute to identifying needs, planning support and reviewing its impact. The class teacher is the first contact for concerns, with the SENDCo involved in deciding next steps. Families can also request a private discussion through the office.

Food is prepared in the school’s own kitchen, and the school menu rotates over three weeks. Special dietary menus include vegan, gluten-free and halal options, subject to completion of the special diets procedure. Families must tell the school when a special diet is needed.

Nursery attendance does not guarantee a Reception place. A fresh application is required through St Helens Council’s admissions process; nursery and Reception have separate admissions. Families should treat the Reception application as a separate task, even when their child already attends here.

The school office handles enquiries and requests for visits: telephone 01744 22104 or email mertonbank@sthelens.org.uk. The contact page also provides an enquiry form. Visits offer families a direct way to explore whether this approach to early learning suits their child.

For prescribed medicines, a parent or representative must take the medication to the office and complete the required form. Medication must be collected from the office at the day’s end and should never travel in a child’s bag.